found this ADB switch...is it safe to use

[KennyPowers]

This thing sounds like an answer to a question nobody asked

 

[lilliputian]

It does seem to be a device begging for a purpose, but it's neat all the same! I do wonder if it would function as a KVM if you used it in reverse...

 

[KennyPowers]

It does seem to be a device begging for a purpose, but it's neat all the same! I do wonder if it would function as a KVM if you used it in reverse...

Dunno...I'm scared to try it

 

[Trash80toG4]

Maybe it was for copy-protection dongles? Weren’t expensive software protected by ADB keys back in the day? I seem to remember it was the reason the Power Mac G3 retained 1 ADB port.

That wouldn't be a use case, dongles are almost invariably pass thru. Can't think for a single reason why a three-way ADB switch for peripherals wouldn't work for using in reverse. Don't think it's theoretically possible to implement ADB so that it's not bi-directional or device independent?

PowerMacs G3 had ADB because USB wasn't introduced until iMac rollout, IIRC.

 

[Fizzbinn]

That wouldn't be a use case, dongles are almost invariably pass thru. Can't think for a single reason why a three-way ADB switch for peripherals wouldn't work for using in reverse. Don't think it's theoretically possible to implement ADB so that it's not bi-directional or device independent?

PowerMacs G3 had ADB because USB wasn't introduced until iMac rollout, IIRC.

I think they’re talking about the Power Macintosh G3 Blue & White, which had USB but retained ADB as well. Last Mac with ADB I think?

 

[François]

Yeah I was thinking of the Blue & White, and I don’t know why I was sure that was the first G3 Power Mac !

 

[retr01]

I have an ADB Gravis Gamepad that has ADB pass-through. So, yes, some ADB devices do have pass-throughs.

 

[retr01]

I think they’re talking about the Power Macintosh G3 Blue & White, which had USB but retained ADB as well. Last Mac with ADB I think?

Yeah. The 1999 Blue White G3 was the last Mac with ONE ADB connection. Apple's saying, "ADB is riding off in the sunset."

 

[Trash80toG4]

Ah! Interesting, though implementing only a single ADB port goes all the way back to the x100 NuBus PowerMac generation. So not a sendoff message in the B&W.

 

[retr01]

Ah! Interesting, though implementing only a single ADB port goes all the way back to the x100 NuBus PowerMac generation. So not a sendoff message in the B&W.

Thought it was funny, though. In 1999, Apple says to the customer: "Oh, you need ADB? We left one for you. Next time, get a USB keyboard and mouse."

 

[YMK]

Ah! Interesting, though implementing only a single ADB port goes all the way back to the x100 NuBus PowerMac generation. So not a sendoff message in the B&W.

Goes back to the Classic, maybe further.